Ella Railway Station: Address, Phone Number, Ella Railway Station Reviews: 4/5
Ella Railway Station
Ella Railway Station
4
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
123 within 3 miles

Cafe Chill
12,050
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Healthy • Sri Lankan

Mandala Cafe & Bar
159
327 ft$ • Cafe • Pub • Sri Lankan

Cafe One Love
888
487 ft$ • Cafe • International

Matey Hut
1,554
0.2 mi$ • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Rainbow Cafe
643
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly

Element Hiking Bar
356
0.1 mi$ • Chinese • Bar • Asian

La Mensa
473
0.1 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly

Raha Ella Sri lanka
347
0.3 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly

Cafe C Ella
434
0.1 mi$ • Chinese • Grill • Street Food

MozzarElla
278
0.1 mi$ • Italian • Pizza • European
Attractions
17 within 6 miles

Ella Spice Garden
566
0.2 miGardens

Ella Train Journey
30
0.2 miScenic Railroads

Kinellan Tea Factory
120
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Nine Arches Bridge
2,715
1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges

Ella Rock
2,013
1.3 miGeologic Formations

Little Adam's Peak
5,510
1.3 miMountains

Ella Black Pepper And Cinamon Garden
3
0.6 miGardens

Demodara Loop
134
2.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Ravana's Cave
214
0.8 miCaverns & Caves

Mahamevnawa Monastery
33
1.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
114 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
51
Average
19
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Azmath Jahn
Colombo, Sri Lanka12 contributions
Built by the British a 100 years ago (1918) the Ella Railway Station (ERS) has original colonial era architecture and is easily one of the most visited single-track mainline railway stations in Sri Lanka.
Irrespective of which way you travel from ERS absolute scenic beauty is guaranteed. Travel the 20 km’s towards Badulla (the end of upcountry railway track) and you will ride over the Nine Arch Bride and Pass the Demodara Railway Loop. Ride in the opposite direction towards Idalgashinna Railway Station also 20 km’s away and you will enjoy spectacular views of tea plantations and sleepy mountainous villages.
Generally 4 trains pass by ERS during the day and tickets are issued only a short while before each train arrives so make sure to be at the station ahead of time to secure your ticket. There is also a safe vehicle parking area besides the station in case you have to leave behind the vehicle you drive/ride.
A lessor known fact is that Sri Lanka Railways (and of course the ERS) is one of the last remaining railway’s in the world to continue to use Edward Tyer's century and half old ingenious tablet signalling system, while other countries have gone on to adopt more advanced radio and electronic signalling methods. If you are interested to take a look at the ‘key token instrument’ get to the station before the rush and have a friendly chat with the station master….I hope he will oblige your request (well I have not asked my self though!)
Irrespective of which way you travel from ERS absolute scenic beauty is guaranteed. Travel the 20 km’s towards Badulla (the end of upcountry railway track) and you will ride over the Nine Arch Bride and Pass the Demodara Railway Loop. Ride in the opposite direction towards Idalgashinna Railway Station also 20 km’s away and you will enjoy spectacular views of tea plantations and sleepy mountainous villages.
Generally 4 trains pass by ERS during the day and tickets are issued only a short while before each train arrives so make sure to be at the station ahead of time to secure your ticket. There is also a safe vehicle parking area besides the station in case you have to leave behind the vehicle you drive/ride.
A lessor known fact is that Sri Lanka Railways (and of course the ERS) is one of the last remaining railway’s in the world to continue to use Edward Tyer's century and half old ingenious tablet signalling system, while other countries have gone on to adopt more advanced radio and electronic signalling methods. If you are interested to take a look at the ‘key token instrument’ get to the station before the rush and have a friendly chat with the station master….I hope he will oblige your request (well I have not asked my self though!)
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gihan De Silva
Colombo, Sri Lanka55 contributions
I visited the station as the outside look was amazing. I wanted to go inside and check, but the Officials said no as there was no train coming at that time. They said the platform ticket can be issued only during a trian's arrival time. HHHHMmmm... not only he said that he was very sarcastic about our request.....Strange.......
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Panduka J
Nugegoda, Sri Lanka582 contributions
Ella has become a very popular destination with the tourists in Sri Lanka. The railway station serves as a major gateway facilitating travel to the popular city. The station is well maintained and the staff in attendance barring the SM were quite helpful to share details of the attractions nearby. .
Written September 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cyc326
35 contributions
Booked a train ride (Viceroy II) from Ella to Kandy, so got to visit this little railway station. Staff service was ok, used the wheelchair for a friend who hurt her leg to wheel her from entrance to the platform. The train arrival was on time -- plus point to such service in Sri Lanka! Enjoyed the ride with the beautiful scenery along the way (6+ hours), mostly tea plantations, valleys, villages, towns, also the historical design of each small stations along the way! The ride was pretty shaky at times (due to the rail), haha.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dinesh tours Sri
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka86 contributions
Business
How cool was their to transit from down south to nuwara Eliya.cool mist Breez refresh for better rest
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BigBear90
Farnham, UK108 contributions
Couples
Staff are very helpful, short walk to the 9 arches bridge, short walk to the start of Ella's peak. Bit of a mad rush when you get off so hold on tight to your loved ones and bags!
Written March 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Niyati A
Dubai, United Arab Emirates123 contributions
Family
The train journey is must to do while in Sri Lanka. If you do not have much time then shorten ur train trip. But this is like must. Train with open doors. Train offering amazing views of lush green forests. Get the train tickets earlier & do not get 1st class ticket, get 2nd or 3rd class.
Written December 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
maite
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
Easy to get to station from town , quick on and off from the train with plenty of Tuk tuks just waiting to take you to your accommodation,
Written August 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bellajune
Adelaide, Australia215 contributions
Clean and friendly, we were able to upgrade to 2nd class as we arrived very early for our train to Colombo.
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AMohsen
Port Said, Egypt405 contributions
Friends
It is just the station, however it is common that people go to Ella by long train ride. We had the ride from Nuwara Eliya. It was extremely crowded train, crowded by locals and more tourists, and it was so funny experience, and the views along the way were pretty.
Written March 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
suemcknight
Saint-Leger-Magnazeix, France23 contributions
Are there left luggage facilities at Ella station?
HarryPokker
42 contributions
No. I did not see anything like that. Ella station is not even a building but mostly open area with no facilities. Only taxi drivers.
Hi , I would like to know the train departure times both from Ella to Nuwara Eliya on a Thursday and then again from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy on a Sunday. TIA anyone who can help , as most blogs and railway sites are confusing.
A K
Stockholm, Sweden67 contributions
Hi
I suggest you have a look at seat61 for example where you get all the train lines, time tables, routes and how the different train look inside i.e 2nd class, 3rd class and 1st class. Make sure to reserve tickets if you wish a Seat and specific class. Often recommended to book 1st class or 2nd class. Hope this helps. Also Viator has some great travels and visits to offer.
TECHCOM N
11 contributions
We Want to Book Tickets for Ella Railway station to Nuwara Eliya for 1st December 2018
Please suggest which website can we book .
If we don’t have a prebooking is it easily available ? we are travelling with a Kid and Our Parents so don’t want to take any last minute risks . please Guide ......
sherry_dissa
Colombo, Sri Lanka616 contributions
Direct booking is most suitable.ticket open for booking 30 days befor.Fort,kandy,polgahawela,gampaha,maradana,nanuoya, those stations you can make ur ticket booking.
sueriley18
Melbourne, Australia
I've just been informed by my guest house host that the trains to Ella have been fully booked since August - I was thinking of a day trip from Nuwara Eliya later this week and travelling on the section between Haputale to Ella
Please can someone advise is this the case or is it still possible to buy tickets??
Thanks!
Rupesh B
10 contributions
1. There are multiple trains at different times that you are can take on the route, so you are not limited by a specific train. The most popular timings of early morning obviously get booked in advance for the reserved compartments.
2. The tickets that mostly sold out are of the first class and second class coaches. There is a 3rd class coach as well, so you can try that. We travelled by 3rd class coach and it's very neat and seats are good. These have open windows which offer a much better experience as opposed to sitting in 1st class coaches with closed air conditioned coaches.
3. There is also the Unreserved compartments. Those are going to be crowded but if you are not traveling with kids and lot of luggage, then you can give it a shot.Lot of tourists travel by these un-reserved compartments.
So, suggest you look up various trains and their schedules and accordingly either book in the 3rd class coaches. And if you don't get a reservation, just land up the station and go for the un-reservee coaches.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ella Railway Station
- We recommend booking Ella Railway Station tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Ella Railway Station tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Ella Railway Station:
- Kandy to Ella Train Tickets - Reserved Seats (Blue Train) (From $18.00)
- 03 Nights in Amazing Sri Lanka (From $290.00)
- Contemporary Ceylon (17 Days) (From $551.00)
- Ceylon Endearment (27 Days) (From $1,505.00)
- Ceylon Endearment (26 Days) (From $1,458.00)
- Hotels near Ella Railway Station:
- (0.02 mi) Silver Dome - Balcony & Mountain view
- (0.03 mi) Zafiro Home Stay
- (0.08 mi) The Blue View Inn
- (0.07 mi) Sun Top Inn
- (0.09 mi) Ella Guest Inn
- Restaurants near Ella Railway Station:
- (0.06 mi) Mandala Cafe & Bar
- (0.09 mi) Cafe One Love
- (0.10 mi) Cafe C Ella
- (0.11 mi) La Mensa
- (0.11 mi) Element Hiking Bar